Strangehaven Vol. 1: Arcadia by Gary Spencer Millidge

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Abiogenesis (May 1, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0946790043
• ISBN-13: 978-0946790043
• List Price: $13.95
• I finished this book on April 8

So, alright, my lovelies, I know I said that I was going to be reading something from the list next, and I swear I had the best intentions. I got a book from the list out from the library. Then I couldn't bring myself to read it. And it kept staring at me. Creepy. Anyway, an esteemed library school colleague of mine loaned me a series of graphic novels, among others, and so here it is. I am too busy with real homework right now to be dealing with self-imposed homework. I will get back to the list in a week or so. For now...graphic novels.
So this book one of three. In it, we meet Alex, who gets in a car accident and wakes up in a mystery village somewhere in the UK. He keeps having visions of a woman underwater with fish. When he tries to leave he can't seem to get out - he drives in circles for hours and ends up right back there. So he decides to stay. Huh? I'm not mad at this or anything, but I mean, who really stays somewhere that they fully intended to leave because they get lost? Someone who's not trying very hard, that's who. Okay, anyway, so there's a girl he likes, Janey. He finds a house and a job and then, inexplicably turns down Janey's advances and goes camping.
There are also a bunch of other subplots going on here. For one, there is a weird cult/religious group who wear ku klux klan outfits and are doing shady rites. There is also a brazilian guy who befriends Janey's brother and who's contstant offerings of tea and pipe smoke are suspicious to me. Also, one of the guys claims he's an alien and appears to have x-ray vision. I must admit I'm intrigued by all of this and will be starting the next one tonight.
The illustrations are unique, they look a lot like photographs. The pictures of Alex's vision underwater woman are very cool. They are blurred in places and look as though they're really underwater.
In searching, as I do, for more information on these books I found the author's website. He looks all cool and dark in that picture, right? So I was intrigued ( I love cool dark men) so I was compelled to search him out: and I found this. Seriously, look at that hair, it's better than I could have hoped! Oh me oh my, it's like awesome 80's hair band hair. So tasty, and hilarious, thank you Mr. Millidge and your auqua net. I mean, it's lovely, it's prettier than my hair for certain. Anyway, back to the point: Mr. Awesome Face Framing Waves Millidge also has a blog but it doesn't look like it's been updated in a while.
Overall, interesting beginning and I look forward to reading more. Thanks, Chip, for loaning them to me!